Private browsing, for the sites you pick
A side door to the sites you choose.
Sidedoor is a tiny plug-in device that sends the websites you pick through the Tor privacy network, so those sites never see your home IP address. No app to install on your phone or computer, no subscription. Everything else carries on exactly as before.
- Works with iPhone, Android, Mac & Windows
- No app, no account, no subscription
Set up in about five minutes.
No terminal, no settings to understand. If you can join a Wi-Fi network, you can set up Sidedoor.
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Plug it in
Any USB phone charger or a spare USB port on your router.
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Connect it to your Wi-Fi
Scan the QR code on the setup card, pick your home network and type its password. Your Wi-Fi details stay on the device.
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Add your devices
Open sidedoor.local on your phone or computer and follow the guide for your device: one tap on iPhone and Mac, a single setting on Android and Windows.
You decide which sites go through the side door.
Most of what you do online doesn’t need extra privacy. Sidedoor only touches the sites on your list, so streaming, banking and video calls run as usual.
Add or remove a site from a simple page on any device at home. Changes apply the next time your device reconnects to Wi-Fi.
- check.torproject.org
- wikipedia.org
- archive.org
- duckduckgo.com
This is a demo of the page on your Sidedoor.
A simpler alternative to a VPN.
A VPN reroutes everything on your device and usually means a monthly or yearly bill. Sidedoor protects just the sites you choose, for a one-off price.
| Feature | Sidedoor | Typical VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | One-off, no subscription | Monthly or yearly subscription |
| Apps to install | None | An app on every device |
| Account needed | No | Yes, usually with payment details |
| What it covers | Only the sites you choose | All traffic on the device |
| Who carries your traffic | The Tor network: three independent relays, no single company | One company’s servers |
| Away from home | Home Wi-Fi only | Works anywhere |
Straight answers about what it does.
Privacy products love big promises. Here’s exactly what you’re getting, and what you’re not.
What Sidedoor does
- Hides your home IP address from the sites on your list.
- Stops your broadband provider seeing which of those sites you visit. It only sees that you’re using Tor.
- Works with iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows and Linux. No app needed.
- Leaves the rest of your internet untouched.
- Built on trusted open-source software: Tor and Privoxy.
What it doesn’t do
- It only works on your home Wi-Fi, not on mobile data or away from home.
- It works in your web browser. Some apps ignore proxy settings.
- It hides your IP address, not your identity — if you log in to a site, it still knows who you are.
- It’s slightly slower than normal browsing, and some sites block Tor.
Made for people who care about privacy but don’t want a project.
Curious about Tor
You’ve heard Tor protects your privacy but found the setup off-putting. Sidedoor does the technical bit for you.
Tired of VPN subscriptions
You want privacy for a handful of sites, not another monthly bill and an app on every device.
Privacy-minded households
Set it up once and every person in the house can use it on their own phone, tablet or computer.
What’s in the box
- Sidedoor device, ready to go
- Short USB cable
- Setup card with QR code and your own admin password
- No subscription, ever
- Email support from a real person
UK addresses only. Expected availability November 2026.
Questions
Is it legal to use in the UK?
Yes. Privacy tools like Tor are legal to use in the UK. You’re still responsible for what you do online, and Sidedoor must not be used for anything unlawful.
Is it a replacement for a VPN?
For many people, yes. If you mainly want privacy on certain websites at home, Sidedoor does that with no subscription and no apps. If you need protection on public Wi-Fi or for every app on your device, a VPN is still the better tool.
Which devices does it work with?
Any device that can use an automatic proxy setting: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux and Chromebook. The setup page on your Sidedoor walks you through each one.
Do you see or keep what I browse?
No. Your traffic never passes through our servers, and the device keeps no browsing history. The only things stored are your Wi-Fi details and your list of sites.
Can I choose my location or access country-specific apps and sites?
No. Sidedoor only hides which sites you visit, not where you’re browsing from. Choosing a country is what a VPN is for.